PAY IT FORWARD: Devon Goosen Ice Hockey Fundraiser

ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN
https://www.gofundme.com/devonhockey

Hello, 
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Our son is 7 years old and his name is Devon.  He is a smart and well behaved boy who has never given us any problems whatsoever. He was on the Honor Roll in school for 1st grade. He never got anything lower than a B. He loves to read and study spelling words :-) He won the 1st grade spelling bee! We are really proud!

Donate Now: https://www.gofundme.com/devonhockey

He has a passion that started in an afterschool program at his school. From the pic you saw, you guessed it! HOCKEY! His school had an afterschool field hockey program. He fell in love the minute he touched the stick! He started to practice at home (we bought him a starting set - stick and puck). He showed so much interest! He eats, sleeps and dreams HOCKEY! we slowly got him things to help him practice, roller blades (roller hockey), sticks and pucks, knee pads and more. He practiced outside all the time and gained more and more friends at the hockey rink in the park. 
    
Donate Now: https://www.gofundme.com/devonhockey

    For his 7th birthday, we had his party at the ice skating rink! He immediately loved the ice! Everything came so natural to him! He was fast and ready to learn. We started him in learn to skate classes which he advanced in really fast! One minute he was in the first class and the next in Hockey 101. We got him pads and all and he was ready to go.  He also spent all his birthday money to buy his own ice skates! He started practicing everything he could, off ice, on his roller blades. We don't live close to the ice skating rink so when we cant go, he practices off ice. He showed great improvement and the coaches moved him up fast and said he had true talent for it. He loves it so much. So much that he wakes up for his saturday class at 7a.m. ready to go!

Donate Now: https://www.gofundme.com/devonhockey

   As you all might know, hockey is an expensive sport. We have been getting by becuase I have been doing my best to give him a shot at doing what he loves. His hocey 201 classes can be paid per class at $32 per class/week. I also try to take him to open ice skate in order for him to practice which also costs a bit. He has advanced so quickly and after the current class he is in now (Hockey 201) they get to be in a real recreational team! He has been waiting for this the whole time! He has a friend that he practices with all the time! They both love it! Well we found out that the team which is called MITES is $900 (if you pay early in August 2015) or $1,000 (if you pay a little later in August) . We really want this for our son because he has shown true dedication and passion for this sport. We are so proud of him! I will post a link with videos soon!

Donate Now: https://www.gofundme.com/devonhockey

   We are asking for help with his dream. Anything you can give will help him. We really want to get him on this team. If they move him up out of this class (hockey 201) we have to be ready to pay that cost. We will really appreciate this so much! My son will be so happy.  He will also be extra happy when he see's how many people are supporting him in his dream! Thank you so much for the help! Thank you for your time as well :-)

Donate Now: https://www.gofundme.com/devonhockey

The Mite Maple Leafs have won most of their games, they are 2nd in standings out of 6 teams.

Devon is really enjoying it, please tell your friends and share this gofundme page.

We need help.

From monthly payments for being on the team, to maybe starting some private lessons.

Thanks so much :)

- Cynthia, Riaan and of course our hockey boy DEVON!

MUSIC: Newtown Noise Original By Sandy Bigara

Here is a little song I wrote back in 2010... when I fell in love with the Newtown Precinct on a windy night...

Buy the track HERE

And play along if you like! Lyrics and chords are above :) 

PUBLISHING: Halloween Book: Unsettling Short Stories

This week I published the Halloween edition of my short story ebook - in paperback, pocketbook size. If you would like to have an unsettling read this Halloween then have a look at this new collection of short stories HERE. Wear a nappy. Don't read alone. 

After experiencing years of disturbing dreams, I was encouraged to write them down as soon as I woke up. These are the dreams that I managed to remember entirely. 

There are nine stories in the book, ranging from two to four pages long each and they range from sweetly sour to unsettling. Each story is preceded by a black and white photograph that I feel captures the spirit of the story... 

After having these dreams, most times I spent the day with a feeling of dread, but i'll continue to write them down as the happen (which is about twice a year) 

The book retails for $7 plus shipping and is available online HERE. 

PAY IT FORWARD: Wayne Scott Feedback: Thank You

VOCAL COACHING: Sandy Bigara Vocal Coaching at The Rhythm Hut Gosford

BOOK NOW ONLINE! -> HERE

BOOK NOW ONLINE! -> HERE

Sandy Bigara Vocal Coaching

Bel Canto Method - Suits all styles! 

Monday 19th October - Monday 7th December

SHOWCASE Saturday 12th December 

$30p/p per week

6:45pm 

Lectures and Vocal Workshops each week

@ The Rhythm Hut - 135 Faunce street, Gosford

Parking available. 

Bring pen and writing pad / note book or tablet. 

Sandy Bigara (34) a performing artist newly moved to the Central Coast - has been an active vocal coach since 1999, she was the Artistic Director and Conductor of multiple choirs (High School, Senior Primary and Junior Primary, as well as being assistant Conductor for the KZN National Choir on their international tour in 1999) and was Music & Drama teacher at two schools in South Africa before launching her Arts company full time.
Sandy incorporates stand up comedy and humour in her own musical performances, and so classes are usually filled with a lot of laughter and positive encouragement.
Sandy teaches the Bel Canto method of singing, which serves as a platform for multiple genres of performance. Sandy has trained Pop singers, Idols contestants, Jazz singers, Afro-Pop singers, a performer for The Phantom of the Opera (Raoul and the Phantom) as well as Starlight Express and South Africa’s “Troy” in the High School Musical national touring show. Sandy has even trained a grunge rock singer with one working ear drum…

She was chosen as the Vivacious Voice singing coach for Durban (other centres were in Johannesburg and Capetown) and enjoyed success and good relationship with her singing students there.


The method that is taught is a well-structured mash-up of lessons and courses that Sandy has experienced in her twenty year professional singing career. Having trained and worked alongside some of the Southern Hemispheres greatest talents – 6 years performing under the baton of Gerard’d DuToit, musical ambassador to the Northern Hemisphere – World Choir Games, Operatic training with Marc Poupard (UKZN Music Coach) and Coleen Philp (UKZN Opera School) and master class with Emma Renzi, Sandy has many anecdotes and life experiences that make her classes both educational and interesting. 

Classes start at 6:45pm on the 19^th October 2015, until December 7^th 2015, the Showcase will be on the 12th December. Space is limited – to book your place there is a non-refundable deposit of $20, to book email sandy via the contact form on her website - you can hear Sandy perform HERE or visit her website HERE for her full working history. 

DIARY: Michelle Obama Wants No Scrubs

Posted by Shaun King https://m.facebook.com/shaunking

"Levels on levels on levels of bullshit being said in this photo - which has been shared 6,000+ times.

1. Michelle Obama is badass. For almost their entire adult lives, she made more money than he did. In her last role as a VP at the University of Chicago hospital she was making over $300,000 per year, and that was in 2005.

2. Michelle Obama has a BA from Princeton and a law degree from Harvard. Nobody, her husband, or anybody else GAVE HER THE WORLD. Even being the first lady in general doesn't equate that, but it sure as hell doesn't mean that for her. They are equal partners in life.

3. The caption in this photo implies that Michelle found a scrub, she stuck with him, and he eventually became a king. That's a damn lie too. She was already working at a law firm and they met AT A LAW FIRM while Barack was a summer associate there completing his education at Harvard Law School. He was the opposite of a scrub - he was the ambitious Editor of the Harvard Law Review and was already serving the community in meaningful ways.

---
That's all."

Well said. We are all equal and should all be pulling our weight in any relationship.

MUSIC: The Strongest One by Sandy Bigara

This is the first song on my Fountain of Youth anthology of songs CD - written when I was a teenager and young adult between 1995 and 2004.

The idea was to record the songs "As I remember them" so the guitar is a little dreamy and distorted (as it sounds in my recollections when I sit and remember a time in the far distance) and the vocals are exact copies of the harmonies that my friends would sing with me. I was blessed to have very talented and musical friends in high school, we would sit and sing together, perform my songs in competitions and assemblies. Recording their harmonies was surreal. So many memories and laughter. So many beautiful voices inside my head - of young women who are now spread out around the globe. 

The History of the Song
I wrote this song when I was 16 or so. My family was being torn apart by mental illness (my Father RIP suffered severe head trauma that irreparably altered his personality and caused the ultimate break up of our family unit) and divorce. My sister and I would sit and sing while I played the guitar - if I had not had my guitar there is a very strong chance that I would have ended my life. The harmonies you hear are the ones that she made up (sung by me in studio) This song got us through some very tough times and put into words how my sister and I felt at the time. 

Remember that being strong doesn't mean shouldering the entire burden, being strong is knowing when to ask for help. When to share the load. 

Hope you enjoy it. 

The Lyrics
You can hear the song HERE 

Feels like I'm spinning. 
Out of control. 
My life is so full of emotion. 

I need some support. 
Someone who cares. 
I need you right here, 
Beside me...

I need to feel your love...
Pushing me on into the light. 
I need to hear your voice... 
Telling me to be stronger. 

My cup runneth over, 
I can't take that much more. 
I need understanding and devotion. 

Give me the strength, 
Not to stand all alone. 
I need to be the strongest one, 
Around here... 

DIARY: Seize The Moment

Seize the moment... and by moment, I mean cupcakes.

So today I had a breakthrough.

So often in my lifetime of seeing wasted lives and wasted gifts (my creative, musical and talented Dad) and people crushed by the decisions that they have made. I have asked myself for as long as I can remember: What is our purpose. Why do we wake up every day, sleep every night, make dinner after breakfast after lunch repeat repeat... Why do we raise our children generation after generation through time, why do we grieve, only for our loved ones to be forgotten with the passing of time... and today it hit me between the eyes.

We do it for the moments. The 'MOMENTS' - you know them? When you are talking to your children and suddenly notice how beautiful the colours of their eyes are... you see those tiny flecks and spots of colour and amazing detail... when you see the sun setting and you have to stop and really take it in. When you sink into your bed at night. When you meet an elderly stranger over in the veggie aisle and they say kind words, drop a word of wisdom into your lap - leaving you wondering.

Life is about the million moments that we can either notice and appreciate, or gloss over and lose... For me I asked myself, why do I do it? Why do I sing, practice, spend money on sound etc Why do I make things? paint, sew? why? It's all meaningless really. But, when I had my realisation, I can have so many 'moments' during each creative process, celebrate each new step achieved, each new little creation, each new song. I can seek out the moments within each new client or audience, make friends, laugh - connect. It isn't about the destination, it's about the journey. We can be broke, we can be flush, we can be sick and tired and broken inside - but we can make the choice to seek out the moments.

I cried in the car outside a store in West Gosford, I made the choice today, to take each moment. Draw the essence out of each moment. Will you join me?

PAY IT FORWARD: Wayne Scott Feedback: We Have Reached the Halfway Mark!

Last week I posted this article about South African Durbanite Wayne Scotts urgent need of assistance for treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

"we have reached the halfway mark"

"We are able to share the news with you that, with the assistance and donations of so many kind-hearted and loving friends, we have reached the halfway mark of the fundraising for Wayne's treatment.We are collecting the first batch of medication from the doctor today and we cannot thank you enough for every phonecall, message, facebook post, donation, contribution, fundraising initiative and prayer."

"we cannot thank you enough"

"We have faith that the planned fundraising event at ROCK ROYALTY at The Barnyard Theatre on Thursday, 8 October will sell out really fast as this will help us in reaching the total goal amount of R393,000 ($28,283)"

"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you"

"We ask that you find it in your hearts to continue contributing on this site as it will assist us tremendously in closing the gap towards our final goal to get Wayne cured from his Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). 
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your continual support.
God bless"

To donate to this cause CLICK HERE

PAY IT FORWARD: Fundraiser for UShaka's Wayne Scott Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Costs

By the end of this post, you will have had 4 opportunities to assist this family. Even if it is a small amount, every single cent will help. I have hyperlinked any points of interest - take care my friends, and remember to message me if any of you have any similar needs (health related fundraising etc) 

____________________________________________________________________

Treatment of ChronicMyeloid Leukemia (CML) for Wayne Scott

"I trust this letter finds you well.

Wayne Scott has been suffering with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) since 2010.

Various forms of oral chemotherapy has been administered by the patient’s oncology doctors such as Gleevec, Tasignia, etc. and he also received intravenous chemotherapy treatment in November 2014 and February 2015. 

To date, none of these treatments seemed to be successful to cure the disease and the only positive prognosis will be a bone marrow stem cell transplant. The member has subsequently been granted temporary disability (1 July 2015) as he is not able to perform his daily duties as Entertainment and Events Manager of uShaka Marine World in Durban.

Dr. J.P. Singh (Practice number 0336254) has done intensive research and testing to find a positive stem-cell donor and we have received the news that a match has been found and identified as a 100% match whom resides in Germany."

To donate to this cause CLICK HERE

"Wayne’s CML is currently in Accelerated Phase and it will be life threatening to do the transplant while he is in this phase.

Dr. Singh’s research has resulted in finding an oral drug Ponatinib (trade name Iclusig, previously AP24534) which is an oral drug developed by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), which in his treatment plan would like the patient to use for 3 months before and 3 months after the bone marrowstem cell transplant.

Dr. Singh has submitted a treatment plan to Wayne’s Medical Aid, which includes Ponatinib and we have received an authorization for treatment from Wayne’s medical aid that they are willing to only pay 50% of the costs to obtain the drug Ponatinib. It is an extremely expensive medication, which Wayne will not be able to afford, although the use thereof will be beneficial to the patient and will improve his current condition to a level, which will allow Dr. Singh to execute the transplant successfully. The prognosis of the transplant promises to be positive."

To donate to this cause CLICK HERE

"We are pleading to you to assist us in any donation as the cost of this medication for the next three months amounts to R330,000 which the medical aid will contribute R165,000 of. That means, Wayne have to find R165,000 for the co-payment and the first R55,000 is due on Monday, 28 September."

Side note from Sandy: This is a LOT of money for the average South African. 

"We pray that you will find it in your heart to be of assistance for this last hurdle to cure the CML, which Wayne Scott suffers from.

There are TWO ways to assist, either donate to this cause CLICK HERE or, We have opened a separate bank account for the fundraising and the details are as follows:

Account holder: Andre B van Wyk
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: 255355
Account Number: 62555480377
Reference: Kindly use your name and surname or company name. Should you choose to remain anonymous, please use reference as “Wayne”

Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

God bless."